Author: Editor

Year ends with no achievements for Iran!

The Persian year is coming to an end and Iran’s football has absolutely nothing to show for it, zilch. This is unless you consider that Team Melli jersey is selected as one of the candidates for most attractive national teams jersey design in a Marca poll  according to ISNA , is something to brag about !!

Football dominates all other sports in Iran a country which has an acute passion for sports and athletes.  Amongst a plethora of sports some which has rich tradition in world and Olympics titles, football and footballers  have the lion share of the government funds channeled into it. Ironically, it has the least achievements, trophies or accolades of them all. Not only the Islamic government almost entirely bankrolls football clubs in Iran, directly or indirectly,  and the football federation (FFIRI) ,  Team Melli is wholly dependent on the government hand out for survival.

The immediate impacts of American sanctions on the Iranian economy are apparent as oil production and GDP growth are collapsing, Iran’s currency is weakening, and inflation is picking up. Longer-term impacts remain to be seen. People have suffered and sacrificed a lot. In such a dire economic environment , there are much more priorities that affect the citizens wellbeing.

Yet , the government still pumped relatively big money into football hoping that this sport yields some success and bring joy for a nation that has very little to cheer about.  However, very little success was experienced by the fans in Iranian football and the 43 years dream wait for the Asian Cup title has just extended for another 4 years. The apex of the achievements at club level was Persepolis being finalist of the Asian Championship League 2018 and at National Team Level, elimination from the group stages of the FIFA World Cup 2018 and defeat against Japan in the Semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. The rest of representatives at age levels came out empty handed too.

The Irony of all this non-achievement is the people concerned in football from players to coaches’ and top administrators complain about lack of facilities and funds channeled into football. No doubt that this mentality was instigated by the former coach Carlos Queiroz injudicious and  constant reference to huge amount of money that rich nations such as Japan, China and Korea   spend on their football!

For all those in the know , however, football problems in Iran go well beyond funds and starts right at the fundamentals. Football is badly managed in Iran and completely owned and controlled by the government. And as it happens, the government is not very well versed at running football and its proxies running clubs and federations are not too skilled either.

One short example in hundreds, is the current situation with Team Melli. Over a year ago, the powers of football decided that Carlos Queiroz will not coach Iran beyond the Asian Cup 2018. 3 months has passed since the end of the Asian Cup, and the wise men of the FFIRI are still widely chasing someone to take over from Queiroz.!!! While the rest of the world are taking advantage of FIFA international break for friendly matches or official competitions, Team Melli is on extended holiday with no coach, no friendly matches and unknown future.

Now, if that is not the apathy of management and downright incompetency , then I don’t know what is.

 

Happy Nowrooz.

Azmoun shines again for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Zenit won three important points in the re-start of the Russian league after winning away against Ural 1-0. Sardar Azmoun, Zenit recent recruit, headed the winning goal at the end of the first half and continues to impress along with the other new acquisitions. This is Azmoun’s third goal for his team in as many matches, but the first in the league.

Before the re-start of the league, Sergei Semak talked about the fact that the winter transfer window was a first step towards getting the team he considers necessary to play his type of football. This summer, Semak had to accept that the club management acted passively on the transfer market and instead of letting Semak recruit the players he wanted, he instead had to settle for a whole bunch of loaned players who returned to their clubs. Sometimes it looked good, but the closer the winter came, the clearer it became that Zenit is lacking quality in the starting line and when the transfer window opened in January Semak received at least three of the new transfer targets he needed. And one can safely say that they started paying off immediately, Jaroslav Rakitsky has raised the level of defense, Wilmar Barrios is the midfield type Zenit has missed since Igor Denisov left the club and at the front Sardar Azmoun with three goals on as many matches has already shown his class.

Azmoun became match winner away at Ural after heading into Magomed Ozdojev’s post at the end of the first half and there should have been more goals for Zenit when both Sebastian Driuissi, Artem Dzjuba and Anton Zabolotnij missed clear chances. The match against Ural was clearly the best in 2019 and after the long winter break it is positive to see how Zenit has become better with every match they have played. The away match against Fenerbahce left a lot to be desired, but the turnaround at home in Saint Petersburg the following week was impressive and in spite of this it looked another snap better today against the Ural.

It is a positive pattern and it will be necessary that it will continue in the spring when Zenit has away games against Spartak, Lokomotiv and Krasnodar left to play as well as a double meeting against Villarreal which hopefully will not be the last in this year’s Europa League. With several players back from injuries, the squad looks well balanced and there should be no problem combining games in the league and in Europe in the spring.

Omid Team list of 30 players announced

Zlatko Kranjcar , the Omid team Head Coach has invited 30 players to attend the last training camp before the start of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification. The invited players are as follows:

Abolfazl Razzaghpour, Mohammad Khodabandehlou and Amir Roustai (Peykan),
Omid Noorafkan, Reza Azari, Alhayar Sayadmanesh, Mehdi Ghaedi and Mehdi Nourollahi (Esteghlal Tehran)
Omid Darreh, Mohammad Soltani Mehr, Abolfazl Jalali and Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh (Saipa Alborz)
Hamid Reza Taherkhani (Sapidrood Rasht)
Mohammad Amin Asadi (Persepolis)
Shahab Adeli, Ali Keykhosrowi and Mohammad Moslemipour (Sepahan)
Meraaj Esmaeili (Zob Ahan)
Mohammad Mehdi Mehdikhani, Mohammad Aghajanpour and Sina Zamehran (Padideh)
Alireza Arta (Mess Kerman)
Vahid Namdari (Esteghlal Khoozestan)
Hossein Saki and Reza Jebeira (Sanat Naft Abadan)
Aref Aghasi (Foolad Khouzestan)
Mohammad Reza Azadi (Tractorsazi)
Ali Shojaei and Nima Mirzazad (Nasazi Ghaemshahr)
Mohammad Khorram Al-Husseini (Machine Sazi Tabriz)

The Omid team’s training camp is scheduled to start on March 11th at the Iranian National Soccer Center, and the squad under Kranjcar will continue their training until the start of the  U-23 Championship qualification in Tehran.

Iran’s Omid team will play its first match in the third qualifying rounds of the Asian U-23 Championship in Group C against Turkmenistan on the 22nd March 2019. The second game is against Yemen on March 24th, and the third match will be against Iraq on the 26th of March. All matches will be played in Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium, Tehran.

Sardar Azmoun shows Wolves what they are missing with Europa League heroics

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ reported move to bring Iranian Messi Sardar Azmoun to the Premier League fell through in the January transfer window.

Whatever became of Sardar Azmoun?

According to Sky Sports, Wolves had agreed a deal to sign the Rubin Kazan striker on the final day of the January transfer window, only for the move to fall through at the eleventh hour.

Wolves wanted the option to sign Azmoun permanently in the summer for £11.5 million. Rubin, however, wanted the deal to include an ‘obligation’ for a permanent transfer – regardless of how he gets on in English football.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side backed out as a result. And, just days later, Azmoun moved to Zenit St Petersburg instead for a fee of £10.5 million, according to L’Equipe.

If he was disappointed about missing out on a move to Molineux, he didn’t show it on Thursday. Zenit were a goal down to Fenerbahce in their Europa League round of 32 clash and needed to turn the tie around in front of their own supporters.

Step up the ‘Iranian Messi’.

Sardar Azmoun (L) of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg celebrates his goal with Branislav Ivanovic during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and...

Azmoun turned on the style on his home debut, inspiring Zenit to a 3-1 win which puts them into the next round with a towering header reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo, let alone Messi. His second, which clinched the game, was clinically dispatched into the bottom corner with 15 minutes to go.

Unsurprisingly, he was nominated for the Europa League Player of the Week award. And his £10.5 million price-tag is already looking like a bargain.

Sardar Azmoun , the hero of Zenit St. Petersburg.

Sardar Azmoun was the hero of the night as his team Zenit St. Petersburg defeated Turkish side Fenerbahçe 3-1  to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Europa League.

Azmoun started the match , his first start with his new club and It only took him 4 minutes to make an impression when he assisted the first goal after he nicely chested the ball to Ozdeov in the six yard box for the Russian to score the first. That made the aggregate score (1-1)

Azmoun then headed a nice cross by Sebastian Druissi  to make it 2-0 for the Russian Champions. Fenerbahçe then silenced the home crowd when Mehemet Topal scored from long range volley with a stunning shot. It was 2-1 and 2-2 on aggregate , advantage Fenerbahçe.

 Sardar Azmoun, however scored the winner when he passed to marker on goal and slotted past the hapless Turkish keeper in the 76th minute.

It was a magnificent night for the Team Melli forward who was substituted out late in the match.

In Another UEFA Europa League match, Dinamo Zagreb defeated Viktoria Plzen 3-0 in the Stadion Maksimir (Zagreb) to qualkify for the next round.

Sadegh Moharrami played 90 minutes for his team Dinamo Zagreb.

A Milestone for Younis Delphi

The young footballer from Khuzestan set a new record in Iranian Football. Younis Delphi, born in Shush, was a member of the Esteghlal Khuzestan Club and has featured in the 2016/17 season by playing five matches for the Full team.

During two and a half years, Delphi was considered by many as one of the greatest talents in the League, whose brilliant performance has also led to his invitation to Omid Team (Iran U23) despite his young age. The fledgling and upcoming striker scored 7 goals in the previous season in 24 Premier League matches and added the FIFA U17 World Cup, held in India to his resume.

That tournament attracted many European scouts looking for young talented players to recruit. A few months back there were discussion about Delphi transferring to the Dutch club, Eindhoven, but the opposition by his club Esteghlal Khuzestan put an end to that transfer as the club would not release him at the start of the new season.

Younis Delphi, however, eventually became a legionnaire in the winter transfer window when he signed a contract to join Sporting Charleroi of Belgium. This club which is owned by an Iranian has attracted several Iranian players in the last couple of seasons such as Kaveh Rezaei, Ali Gholizadeh and Omid Noorafkan

Last Sunday evening Sporting Charleroi hosted Fourth placed KV Oostende at Stade du Pays de Charleroi. Younis Delphi, was included in the squad for the first time since his transfer. In the absence of the other Iranian player, Ali Gholizadeh who is suffering from a leg injury, Delphi made his debut. With the presence of Younis Delphi in the Charleroi team, he becomes the youngest legionnaire in Iranian football history with 18 years and 129 days. It is a good age to start gaining experience of European football. The match between Charleroi and Oostende ended 1 -1. Delphi played for 64 minutes and was substituted midway through the second half.

The Saudis continue pirating TV rights of Asian Cup.

In a very defiant manner, a Saudi pirate station supported by their government continue pirating football matches rights belonging to the Qatari owned company , BeIn sports based in Doha.

after the violation of the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European competitions, including the Champions League, it is the turn of AFC Asian Cup. For a small fee , a decoder that opens up hundreds of pay channels can be bought in the Persian Gulf states.

Despite the outcry from all the concerned organizations and the governments of some countries, it seems that the pirates of beoutQ have no fear of prosecution or legislation. It is also quite apparent that the Saudi government , conveniently turns a blind eyes toward such blatant copy right violation and has facilitated the broadcast to compensate their fans.

Football is by far the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia. Since the animosity with Qatar began which started with breaking all relationships with the Gas and oil rich peninsula, the Saudi’s were deprived from watching major football competitions that are carried by Bein sports.

AFC statement on beoutQ
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today condemns the pirate entity named ‘beoutQ’ that continues to illegally broadcast the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

The AFC has already instructed counsel to take legal action in Saudi Arabia and is working alongside other sports rights owners that have also been affected to protect its interest.

The AFC will continue to support its commercial and broadcast partners by protecting their contractual rights.

Team Melli opens its account with a 5-0 thrashing of Yemen.

Team Melli opened its account in the 17th AFC Asian Cup with a comprehensive 5 – 0 win against Yemen at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The first half ended 3-0

All the respect given to Yemeni team and fear of Yemen springing a surprise did not last very long in the first half as Iran struck on the 11th minute. when Mehdi Taremi scored from a rebound after Sardar Azmoun’s shoot was parried by Yemen Keeper for Mehdi to coolly slot home the opener.

A handball 3 meters outside the penalty was called against the Yemen in the 22nd minute which Ashkan Dejagah took and cleverly slotted in with the help of the woodwork and the keeper. 2- 0 for Iran with less than half an hour played.

Just about two minutes after Dejagah’s goal, Ramin Rezaeian dispatches an inch perfect cross from the right into the penalty are where Taremi towers above all and heads a powerful and delightful ball out of reach of Yemen keeper to announce the third goal for Team Melli.

So much for the caution against the minnows and fear of surprises.

There is still another 45 minutes to come, it remains to be seen what Queiroz has in mind for the second.

Despite the good result, there has been some drawbacks as well.

There is still cconcern with the overall discipline of the players. Some wild tackles were flying in from Team Melli player, engaging in skirmishes and  pushing and shoving gameplay with Yemeni players as Azmoun did just before the 2nd goal and Ebrahimi picking a silly yellow card which was deserved and totally uncalled for.

Yemen. to their credit , tried to match Iran and admirabely played quite well in the first 10 minutes. Their counter attacks were promising, and the speed of passes was remarkable, however the difference in class was so obvious  as the time passed hence the first half result

In the second half, Yemen main concern was damage limitation and as such they played it rough and wild. Four yellow cards were awarded to Yemen players and a possible penalty shout was waved on by the Japanese referee Sato.

Team Melli once again scored early in the 53rd minute with Azmoun slotting the ball after a flick from Mehdi Torabi following a corner kick. The ball went past the goal line but Yemen defender kicked it out. The ref was right close to action and immediately pointer to the centre of the field to announce Iran’s fourth

Saman Ghoddos , a substitute on the hour for Vahid Amiri , scored Iran’s fifth from a powerful shot outside the box in the 78th minute.

At the end of the day, it was a job well done by Team Melli and despite some rough edges , the display was more than satisfactory.

Iran  goals vs 0 Yemen.

M. Taremi 12′
1 – 0
A. Dejagah 23′
2 – 0
M. Taremi 25′
(assist by R. Rezaeian)
3 – 0
S. Azmoun 53′
(assist by M. Taremi)
4 – 0
S. Ghoddos 78′
(assist by M. Pouraliganji)
5 – 0

Starting line up for Team Melli vs. Yemen

Abu Dhabi, UAE

teammelli.com report:

CarlosQueiroz has announced his strongest line up against minnows Yemen for match no 7 of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE. The match which will start at 20:00 local time in Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi is the first for Team Melli in Group D.

As expected, Alireza Jahanbakhsh has no place in the starting line up, however, his name is included in the list of substitutes.

Iran starting Line up

Alireza Biranvand, Ramin Rezaeian, Ehsan Hajsafy, Morteza Pouraliganji, Majid Hosseini , Omid Ebrahimi, Ashkan Dejagah, Vahid Amiri, Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Taremi. Sardar Azmoun

 

Referee: RYUJI SATO (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: HIROSHI YAMAUCHI (JPN)
Assistant Referee 2: JUN MIHARA (JPN)

Asian Cup Match Preview : IRAN vs YEMEN

Abu Dhabi:

Team Melli will be going into this match oozing with confidence but with both feet firmly on the ground.
Iran won’t make the mistake of underestimating Yemen while the tournament debutants won’t be overawed when facing one of the Continent’s biggest teams in their AFC Asian Cup Group D opener at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
Iran are chasing a fourth AFC Asian Cup title, but their first since 1976, while Yemen are determined to make their qualification for the tournament for the first time since unification, one to remember.

Although nobody in the Iranian camp is talking championship and no claims or guarantees of anything is given by players , Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz and his players are very well aware of what the fans in Iran and across the world expect. Showing respects to minor teams is a fine and sensible approach, but the end result has to be reflective of Iran’s football standard and this strong team that Queiroz himself has built.


“This is football. You cannot play a football game with a credit card of being favourites. If you don’t play good football, you don’t deserve to win,” said Queiroz, who has been guiding Iran for the past eight years now.

 

Queiroz added “We came here to play good games and we have to if we want to defeat any team. Yemen are a good side and we have to respect them. At the same time, I am confident that my team, despite some injuries, will deliver as I always challenge them to play responsibly so that when they leave the pitch, they leave with the fans happy.”

Quite diplomatic and selective, however if Iran cannot beat a team such as Yemen comprehensively, then it must be said that Queiroz 8 years have failed to delivered. Last Time Iran faced Yemen in the Asian Cup, they managed to hammer them 8-0 !

Yemen head coach Jan Kocian said his team are eager to make their tournament debut against one of Asia’s biggest teams.

“The world knows Iran. They had a great World Cup and in Carlos Queiroz, one of the best coaches in the world. We are, however, not going to let that get to us.

“We already have a concept of how we are going to play. We respect Iran, Iraq and Vietnam but we are not going to be afraid.”

Kocian said his team, while aiming for a result, will go out with the intention of enjoying playing Iran.

“There is no pressure on the team and as a ‘small’ team, we are allowed to dream and that dream is to defeat Iran.”

HEAD2HEAD

P W D L Goals + / –
Yemen 2 2 0 0 6 – 1 5
South Yemen 3 3 0 0 12 – 0  12
Total 5 5 0 0 18 – 1 17

 

Yemen Matches

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
15.12.2012 WAFF N 2 – 1 Kazma Stadium , Kuwait 800
09.10.1994 Asian Games N 4 – 0 Bingo Athletic Stadium, Onomichi 15000

 

South Yemen matches

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
01.11.1989 Peace & Friendship Tour N 2 – 0 Kuwait City 15000
25.11.1982 Asian Games N 2 – 0 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium , New Delhi 8000
08.06.1976 Asian Cup H 8 – 0  Aryamehr Stadium, Tehran 10000